[Leica] Re: Zeiss Sonnar Versions

[bruent at shaw.ca (B Entus)]

Thanks for the answers so far.  I get the LUG in digest so there is a 
bit of latency in my reply.

I am trying to get one- either a coated version in chrome on brass, or 
the early (1930's) uncoated version (apparently a different design 
which minimized the number of air-glass surfaces as an important 
parameter) in Contax mount. For internet searches the simple visual 
discriminators are helpful.

 From replies and other sources, there seem to be at least 2 variants of 
the uncoated design (black for the 1st Contax, chrome for the Contax 
II/III, but same optics(?), minimum f stop 11), and at least 3 coated 
(postwar East German in aluminum with Jena and T designation minimum 
stop 22;  post war West German in chrome with Opton and T designation 
minimum stop 16; later West German designated just CarlZeiss minimum 
stop ??). One source indicates that focal length marked in mm indicates 
post war and in cm indicates earlier versions. There may also be 
Ukraine copies with counterfeit Zeiss engravings.

Not certain how many different optical designs there are, or if there 
are coated version versions from before the end of the war (with or 
without the T designation).

> >> What versions are there of the Contax (classic range finder) Sonnar
> >> f/1,5 5cm/50mm lens?
> >> What visual cues (in particular serial number and other engravings)
> >> that allow simple identification of the version?
> >> Are there any guides available on-line?
>
 > What are you trying to accomplish?  ID a lens you have or want to buy?
 >  tell us what you have and see if I can remember it......